Kidney Infection: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Urinary tract infections – also called UTI are among the most common diseases in both women and of men. Most times, we think that we can easily get rid of them, but when they are not treated properly, the disease takes its course and becomes chronic.
Bladder infection is a common condition. Millions of people annually experience discomfort and a noticeable burning sensation when urinating. Urinary infection is generally caused by E. coli bacteria.
Women and elders – more prone to UTIs
Urinary tract infections are more common in women, 50% of them suffer at least once during their lifetime of a form of urinary infection. Young men are rarely affected by urinary tract infections. In contrast, men over 50 years with prostate diseases are at greater risk of urinary tract infections. Although urinary infection is more common among women than men, for men it is more difficult to treat. UTI is dangerous to pregnant women and the elderly, but also in people with diabetes.
Kidney infection signs
The onset is sudden. The patient feels a lot of symptoms that indicate a bladder infection. You must seek immediate medical advice if you have any of these signs:
• Burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)
• Frequent urination even if you have already been to the toilet
• Cloudy, dark urine, sometimes with blood and with a specific odor
• Chills and fever of 38.5 degrees C
• Malaise
• Back and lower abdomen pain
These symptoms are often associated nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Untreated properly, kidney infections can lead to serious kidney damage, as cystitis recurrences lead to increasing infections, which may include ureters and even the kidney. Moreover, servere infections that are not treated on time may determine septic shock, which can be fatal. Children may complain of abdominal pain.
Urinary infection causes
Experts say that urinary tract infections are caused by factors such as:
• The amount of liquid drunk. A person who does not consume enough fluids is more prone to urinary tract infections than one who drinks plenty of fluids. Why? Because the bladder is not full enough to completely empty.
• Frequent urinating. People who do not go to the toilet often have more risks of developing a kidney infection. In a full bladder, bacteria have more time to multiply. It is therefore recommended to go to the toilet each time you feel the need to do so. Otherwise you allow bacteria to take its course.
• Clothes. Tight pants, underwear made of synthetic materials, internal and external buffers are all factors that trigger urinary tract infections.
Prevention and treatment of kidney infection
Doctors may recommend a treatment to limit the pain and the burning sensation during urination. If you only attenuate these symptoms without treating the cause of it, you risk developing other kidney infections in the future.
Urine culture is very important in treating urinary tract infections. There are doctors who prescribe antibiotics without performing a thorough check. However, women are advised to do a complete urologic examination if they experience UTIs at least twice a year.
Drinking liquids is essential in preventing and treating urinary tract infections. This is the best way to reduce the number of bacteria in the bladder. If you frequently suffer from urinary tract infections, it’s important to see if your lifestyle, diet or contraceptives encourage their occurrence.